The influence of sensory information on patch residence time in wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Abstract

Foraging models emphasize reward and/or prey capture rates as primary determinants of residence time. The influence of sensory information has rarely been examined experimentally, but may also be important in animal foraging decisions. This study examined the influence of sensory cues without food reward on residence time in wolf spiders, as well as the interaction of visual and vibratory information in foraging decisions. It also elucidated the effects of prior sensory experience on foraging decisions in wolf spiders. Sixty mature females of the common wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata(Hentz), were tested in a four-chambered artificial foraging patch. Patches varied in the type of sensory information provided by live prey as follows: visual stimuli alone, vibratory stimuli alone, visual and vibratory stimuli together and control (no stimuli). Spiders were allowed to move freely from chamber to chamber for one hour while the duration, number and sequence of patch visits were recorded. Sensory cues, even without food rewards, are sufficient criteria to influence residence time. Spiders tended to remain longer in patches with visual cues alone or visual and vibratory cues together over those with vibratory information alone. Individuals varied significantly in both residence time and sensory biases between individuals, but none showed evidence of using prior sensory experience to choose patches or modify patch residence duration.